Major Tags; #babysittersteve #singledadEddie (most tags are below post but this is a very light oneshot)
Summary; Steve Harrington works at the Store daycare where mothers can leave their children. It’s always the same and consistent mothers. That is until a father comes by to drop off his daughter.
Bingo prompt: single parent au under C1
Mentions @steveharringtonbingo
Note; I don’t write oneshots often and this isn’t my proudest work but it’s mostly focused on the concept of Steve being a daycare person more then Steddie as that’s what the bingo is going for (more steve harrington lmao) that and I just wanted something small to write
Hawkins grocery store used to be every Mothers nightmare. With their husbands being at work most of the day, and not wanting to spend the money they needed for food on a babysitter they were forced to bring their kids to the store. They loved their children dearly, but they were too fidgety, would touch everything, not listen to their mothers and start to cry very loudly in the aisle. As the adult and guardian of said kid, it was very embarrassing to receive judgmental looks from complete strangers. There were so many problems with bringing kids to the store.
It was after the third kid knocked over a stand of food that Steve got the idea. Wearing his work uniform and bending over picking up the mess. Separating the now damaged food away from the other boxes. He groans running a hand through his hair brushing it off to the side as he hears Robin giving a customer directions to the cereal before she is walking over to help him. He's tossing the idea around in his head. The store did have an empty office that has been vacant for months now. That's how the rest of his shift goes, just tossing ideas around his head. He could spend personal time getting the room set up, they could use toys that came from the store in the room to advertise and it would make the amount of damaged goods go down.
Everything goes by so fast, giving the idea to Robin who scrunched her nose up at the idea of babysitting goblins but she did enjoy the thought of having less messes. The idea spreads through all of their coworkers who were equally enthusiastic about less lost kids in the store up to the boss. That's how Steve now finds himself as the guy who gets to have the whole thing set up. It was such a small idea that was now spreading around to Mothers all over Hawkins who fought to bring their kids with them. Again this was something so small, had so much pressure behind it. Originally it was supposed to take a month to get it set up but with everyone wanting it desperately the boss pulled some strings and the room was ready in a week.
That's how Steve Harrington found himself in a colorful vest with even more pins on it than Robins. Who was still warming up to the idea of possibly babysitting, but for now she was still doing stock. The first week was chaotic, he ended up doing overtime so that the daycare was open. He was still learning and he decided to set up some rules. He wasn't able to babysit babies, that was going to be a no. The Daycare was only going to be open for certain hours, he had even done a survey amongst the women to figure out times that worked. Now four months in he was fully trained at boogers, loose teeth and tears. He was hoping to get a few of his own kids hired, Lucas was his main target. But that has yet to happen.
Today was like any other, he got the room ready and already got a few toddlers. With working in the daycare so much he started to recognize the regulars and other kids. Picking up on what each one liked and figuring out who they would get along with. It had been a long time since hes encountered someone knew, and not once has he met a single father. Which is why hes confused as hell when he watches a little girl wearing a bright pink coat on, a queen band t shirt, lady bug leggings and two blonde pigtails up on her head walking with a man that looked to be the complete opposite of her. Wearing all black, a pair of sunglasses matching with a 'Quiet Riot' shirt on, with so many chains on the man didn't look like he would be the father.
The two walk up to Steve calmly and he can't help but smile down at the girl who gets very shy. Moving to hide behind the man. He turns looking up kindly, and he can now smell peppermint. Probably from the gum the other was chewing. "Is this the daycare?" The voice is rough and was already Steve's type. He makes an attempt at being cool, and not come off as weird.
"Yep," Steve says with a soft smile. "If you're thinking about leaving her while shopping I just need you to fill out a paper." He says softly. Watching the way the other hesitates for a second, glancing down at his little girl as he nods his head. Gesturing for the other to hand him the clip board. Steve hums gently as he bends down ignoring the way his back and knees creak. Taking in the way the young girl gets more shy. He's hoping that she knows who the band is on her shirt as he starts.
"Hi, I'm Steve. I noticed you were wearing a Queen shirt, If you want I can let you borrow my walkman? I have a few Queen tapes that you can borrow if you don't want to play with the other kids. I know it can get a tad overwhelming." He says softly not raising his voice once her doing that horrible baby tone. Which seems to be exactly what the young girl needed as she looks up at her Dad who was looking down at Steve like he was the sun. He had stopped writing for a second for some unknown reason. Though hes quick to look down at the young girl and smiles softly.
"See, I told you you would like it here."He says softly before quickly scribbling out the form and handing it to Steve. Who takes it and looks down as he smiles softly. He reads that the mans name is Eddie Munson and it sounds so familiar but he doesn't think to much about it as he reads the young girls.
"Well Leia, I have a lot you can work with in there. I have books, movies, music, crayons, legos, you name it I got it or I will get it." He smiles as he watches the young girl move from the others leg and Eddie hesitantly moves down to his knees. Pulling her towards him as he looks at her with a smile that showed his dimples.
"Don't worry, I'll get those princess goldfish you like." He hums out. "I should be back in a bit ok?" He hums as she nods her head moving to hug him. There's something soft said between the two of them before she moves over to Steve looking up curiously as he smiles offering to take her hand. She doesn't waste a second to grip onto his hand tightly and hide into his side as she looks into the room.
"I shouldn't be long, you are a life saver thank you so much." The man says looking slightly stressed now that Leia wasn't looking or paying attention to him. Steve smiles gently.
"No problem, take your time. The daycare does close at five so be aware of that." He hums as Eddie nods. Waving goodbye to his daughter before moving to go shopping.
After that the interactions start to become more frequent. At first Leia would only be in for a hour or two but now a few months in Eddie would drop her off when the doors open and pick her up when they closed. Steve had caught onto what he was doing, but he didn't mind. The two had gotten along with each other for a while now and Steve was being paid to babysit not to investigate parents. That and he really did like Leia. She was sweet.
Today had gone by like any other, all the kids came in and Steve found himself sitting in a bean bag chair watching the rugrats with all of the kids. It was a quiet day, most of the children were starting to doze off and he would have to pick them up and give them to their Mothers. Leia had passed out a while ago and it was getting very close to five. Ten minutes after he had bundled her up and lifted her up letting her sleep on his shoulder. Moving through the store checking for Eddie before going outside. He was a tad worried. He holds her and stands outside looking at the mostly empty parking lot.
He watches a car pull in a bit fast. His eyebrows shoot up when he watches Eddie jump out of the car. His right hand was in a brace, something that wasn't a thing this morning. He moves and hes quick to try and go into the store. Steve whistles loudly catching his attention. Relief fills his eyes as he moves closer seeing his baby curled up into Steve. The anxiety leaves him as guilt takes over.
"I am so sorry. Let me pay you, I accidentally hurt my wrist on the job and the hospital took forever getting me out." he rambles out before his face goes red from admitting that he hadn't been shopping. "Oh shit-"
Steve waves it off, "No don't worry, I caught on to you weeks ago." he whispers gently. Gesturing to the others car offering to carry her to the car. "here I can take her to the car." He says softly. Trying to move her a bit but she was making a strangled noise in her sleep. Eddie's face softens as he watches the man start to walk.
"Oh my god, she let you hold her?" He asks softly. No one had been allowed to hold leia like that for a long time.
"Yeah, shes very tired." Steve says gently. Moving to the door and letting the other open it before getting her in her seat. Though she wakes up and starts to whine and cry in complaint as she clings onto Steves neck. Eddie watches the whole thing and his heart breaks a bit. Before pausing, he felt like he owed Steve.
"Hey, why don't you come to ours? I think I owe you a dinner for staying this late." Eddie says gently.
"Yes! Please Stevie," Leia begs with her best pair of puppy dog eyes. Steve hesitates as he finally pulls away. Looking conflicted.
"I don't know-" He says gently looking from the young girls puppy dog eyes to only be met by another pair. His throat nearly closes in on itself when he sees Eddie looking at him so softly. He stutters over himself as his face goes a soft pink.
"Um, yeah sure if you don't mind." He decides to land on. Watching the way Eddie's face lights up and hears the way Leia squeals kicking her feet out of excitement. Oh no, Steve was defiantly falling in love with this tiny family.
